Copper water lines.

1/13/2020 (Permalink)

Copper water line fixed after a leak with a coupling.

Recently we were called to mitigate a water leak which was caused by a copper line. Surprisingly, the leak was slowly developing in the wall until the owner noticed a wet ceiling in the garage beneath. The wall was cut, the leak was located and fixed with a coupling. This was just a tip of the iceberg of what needed to follow. Next we are removing the floor, the ceiling in the garage below, clean, sanitize and setup our drying and dehumidifying equipment. 

After a short conversation with an owner, he said that the type of copper pipe used was different than what should, there was type M used (which is up to specs in most cases) and he thought that L should have been used, which is always better to overbuild but it is also more costly. We can't stress enough how crucial it is to use licensed, reputable and trusted plumbers and electricians. Besides the type of the line, we also had an issue with Chinese copper products in California in 2003-2008 which made its way to Hawaii as well. There is plenty of information on that topic online. Currently, we are responding to a lot of leaks and some were caused by Chinese products. One more thing that might develop a small leak are humans, often when we are putting a picture frame on the wall and use incorrect or too long nail and this nail is accidentally touching the copper line hidden in the wall, it develops corrosion besides a potential puncture. What we should learn from it is the following: before closing on a property, home buyer should get the warranty information in writing on the pipe and or fittings from the builder. When building a new installation, always use products made in America since some stores still sell Chinese defective products. Plumbing inspections are another great way trying to spot and prevent potential leaks in existing installations.